Substituted aminoxyethyl sulfoxides and sulfones

ABSTRACT

Substituted dibenzyl aminoxyethyl sulfoxides and sulfones of the formula ##STR1## are prepared by the reaction of the appropriate dibenzylhydroxylamine compound and the appropriate vinyl sulfoxide or sulfone, said compounds being useful as color improvers and stabilizers in various polymeric substrates.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 133,205, filed 12/15/87 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 809,637 filed 12/16/85 both now abandoned.

Organic polymeric materials such as plastics and resins, are subject to thermal, oxidative and photo-degradation. A great variety of stabilizers are known in the art for stabilizing a diversity of substrates. Their effectiveness varies depending upon the causes of degradation and the substrate stabilized. In general, it is difficult to predict which stabilizer will be most effective and most economical for any one area of application. For example, stabilizer effectiveness in reducing volatility may depend upon preventing bond scission in the substrate molecule. Limiting embrittlement and retaining elasticity in a polymer or rubber may require prevention of excessive crosslinking and/or chain scission. Prevention of discoloration may require inhibiting reactions which yield new chromophores or color bodies in the substrate or stabilizer. Problems of process stability and incompatibility must also be considered.

Various organic hydroxylamine compounds are generally known and some are commercially available. A number of patents disclose nitrogen-substituted hydroxyl-amines as antioxidant stabilizers for various substrates including polyolefins, polyesters and polyurethanes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,432,578, 3,644,278, 3,778,464, 3,408,422, 3,926,909, 4,316,996 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,224 are representative of such patents which basically disclose N,N-dialkyl-, N,N-diaryl- and N,N-diaralkyl hydroxylamine compounds and their color improvement and color stabilizing activity.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,316,299 describes the preparation of ##STR2## wherein R₂ N is di-lower-alkylamino (C₁ to C₈) or heterocyclic moieties like aziridinyl, pyrrolidinyl, etc. and mentions the use of these compounds as central nervous system depressants in animals.

It has now been determined that the substituted dibenzyl aminoxyethyl sulfoxides and sulfones of this invention exhibit a variety of desirable properties which makes them particularly effective and useful as stabilizers. Thus, the compounds serve to protect various substrates such as polyolefins, elastomers and lubricating oils against the adverse effects of oxidative and thermal degradation. They are most effective as color improvers and process stabilizers in polyolefin compositions which may contain metal salts of fatty acids and which contain a phenolic antioxidant. Thus, they serve to substantially reduce color formation resulting from the presence of the phenolic antioxidant and/or from the processing conditions as well as to directly protect the polymer from said processing conditions. They also prevent the discoloration of polyolefin compositions containing hindered amine light stabilizers or combinations of phenolic antioxidants and organic phosphites. In addition, the gas fading that may be experienced upon exposure to the combustion products of natural gas is also significantly reduced.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide sulfoxides and sulfone derivatives which exhibit a broad range of improved stabilization performance characteristics.

Various other objects and advantage of this invention become evident from the following description thereof.

The compounds of this invention correspond to the formula ##STR3## wherein n is 1 or 2,

R₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, aralkyl of to 9 carbon atoms or said aralkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, and

R₂ is alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, aralkl of 7 to 9 carbon atoms, said aralkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms or the group ##STR4## wherein R₁ is as defined hereinabove.

The R₁ and R₂ groups are independently preferably straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 12 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, decyl and dodecyl; cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl; and phenyl; and benzyl,α-methylbenzyl and α,α-dimethylbenzyl. It is also preferred for R₁ to be hydrogen and R₂ to be the dibenzylaminoxyethyl radical.

The derivatives of this invention can be prepared by reacting the appropriately substituted dibenzylhydroxylamine with a vinyl sulfoxide or sulfone in a solvent to yield the desired product. The solvent can be an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and the like, or a heterocyclic ether, such as tetrahydrofuran. The reaction temperature ranges from 0° to 80° C. The preferred method for preparing the compounds of this invention involves reacting the hydroxylamine with the sulfoxide or sulfone in the presence of a proton acceptor such as a tertiary amine including triethylamine or pyridine, or an alkali hydroxide or an alkali alkoxide. The starting materials needed to prepare the stabilizers of this invention are items of commerce or can be prepared by known methods.

The compounds of the present invention are particularly effective in stabilizing organic materials subject to oxidative, thermal and actinic degradation, such as plastics, polymers and resins.

Substrates in which these compounds are particularly useful are polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polystyrene, including impact polystyrene, ABS resin, SBR, isoprene, as well as natural rubber, polyesters including polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, including copolymers, and lubricating oils such as those derived from mineral oil.

In general polymers which can be stabilized include

1. Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins, for example polyethylene (which optionally can be crosslinked), polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polybutene-1, polymethylpentene-1, polyisoprene or polybutadiene, as well as polymers of cycloolefins, for instance of cyclopentene or norbornene.

2. Mixtures of the polymers mentioned under (1), for example mixtures of polypropylene with polyisobutylene.

3. Copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins with each other or with other vinyl monomers, such as, for example, ethylene/propylene, propylene/butene-1, propylene/isobutylene, ethylene/butene-1, propylene/butadiene, isobutylene/isoprene, ethylene/alkyl acrylates, ethylene/alkyl methacrylates, ethylene/vinyl acetate or ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers and their salts (ionomers) and terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a diene, such as hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene or ethylidene-norbornene.

4. Polystyrene, poly-(p-methylstyrene).

5. Copolymers of styrene or methylstyrene with dienes or acrylic derivatives, such as, for example, styrene/butadiene, styrene/acrylonitrile, styrene/ethyl methacrylate, styrene/butadiene/ethyl acrylate, styrene/acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate; mixtures of high impact strength from styrene copolymers and another polymer, such as, for example, from a polyacrylate, a diene polymer or an ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer; and block polymers of styrene, such as, for example, styrene/butadiene/styrene, styrene/isoprene/styrene, styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene or styrene/ethylene/propylene/styrene.

6. Graft copolymers of styrene, such as, for example, styrene on polybutadiene, styrene and acrylonitrile on polybutadiene, styrene and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates on polybutadiene, styrene and acrylonitrile on ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers, styrene and acrylonitrile on polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, styrene and acrylonitrile on acrylate/butadiene copolymers, as well as mixtures thereof with the copolymers listed under 5), for instance the copolymer mixtures known as ABS-, MBS-, ASA- or AES-polymers.

7. Halogen-containing polymers, such as polychloroprene, chlorinated rubbers, chlorinated or sulfochlorinated polyethylene, epichlorohydrine homo- and copolymers, polymers from halogen-containing vinyl compounds, as for example, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, as well as copolymers thereof, as for example, vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate or vinylidene chloride/vinyl acetate copolymers.

8. Polymers which are derived from α,β-unsaturated acids and derivatives thereof, such as polyacrylates and polymethacrylates, polyacrylamide and polyacrylonitrile.

9. Copolymers from the monomers mentioned under (8) with each other or with other unsaturated monomers, such as, for instance, acrylonitrile/butadien, acrylonitrile/alkyl acrylate, acrylonitrile/alkoxyalkyl acrylate or acrylonitrile/vinyl halogenide copolymers or acrylonitrile/alkyl methacrylate/butadiene terpolymers.

10. Polymers which are derived from unsaturated alcohols and amines, or acyl derivatives thereof or acetals thereof, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl maleate, polyvinylbutyral, polyallyl phthalate or polyallyl-melamine.

11. Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic ethers, such as polyalkylene glycols, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide or copolymers thereof with bis-glycidyl ethers.

12. Polyacetals, such as polyoxymethylene and those polyoxymethylenes which contain ethylene oxide as comonomer.

13. Polyphenylene oxides and sulfides, and mixtures of polyphenylene oxides with polystyrene.

14. Polyurethanes which are derived from polyethers, polyesters or polybutadiens with terminal hydroxyl groups on the one side and aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanates on the other side, as well as precursors thereof (polyisocyanates, polyols or prepolymers).

15. Polyamides and copolyamides which are derived from diamines and dicarboxylic acids and/or from aminocarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactams, such as polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamide 6/6, polyamide 6/10, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, poly-2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamid or poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide, as well as copolymers thereof with polyethers, such as for instance with polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol or polytetramethylene glycols.

16. Polyureas, polyimides and polyamide-imides.

17. Polyesters which are derived from dicarboxylic acids and diols and/or from hydroxycarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactones, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, poly-1,4-dimethylol-cyclohexane terephthalate, poly-[2,2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane]terephthalate and polyhydroxybenzoates as well as block-copolyether-esters derived from polyethers having hydroxyl end groups.

18. Polycarbonates.

19. Polysulfones, polyethersulfones and polyetherketones.

20. Crosslinked polymers which are derived from aldehydes on the one hand and phenols, ureas and melamines on the other hand, such as phenol/formaldehyde resins, urea/formaldehyde resins and melamine/formaldehyde resins.

21. Drying and non-drying alkyd resins.

22. Unsaturated polyester resins which are derived from copolyesters of saturated and unsaturated dicarboxylic acids with polyhydric alcohols and vinyl compounds as crosslinking agents, and also halogen-containing modifications thereof of low inflammability.

23. Thermosetting acrylic resins, derived from substituted acrylic esters, such as epoxy-acrylates, urethane-acrylates or polyester acrylates.

24. Alkyd resins, polyester resins or acrylate resins in admixture with melamine resins, urea resins, polyisocyanates or epoxide resins as crosslinking agents.

25. Crosslinked epoxide resins which are derived from polyepoxides, for example from bis-glycidyl ethers or from cycloaliphatic diepoxides.

26. Natural polymers, such as cellulose, rubber, gelatine and derivatives thereof which are chemically modified in a polymerhomologous manner, such as cellulose acetates, cellulose propionates and cellulose butyrates, or the cellulose ethers, such as methylcellulose.

27. Mixtures of polymers as mentioned above, for example PP/EPDM, Polyamide 6/EPDM or ABS, PVC/EVA, PVC/ABS, PVC/MBS, PC/ABS, PBTP/ABS.

28. Naturally occuring and synthetic organic materials which are pure monomeric compounds or mixtures of such compounds, for example mineral oils, animal and vegetable fats, oil and waxes, or oils, fats and waxes based on synthetic esters (e.g. phthalates, adipates, phosphates or trimellithates) and also mixtures of synthetic esters with mineral oils in ay weight ratios, which materials may be used as plasticizer for polymers or as textile spinning oils, as well as aqueous emulsions of such materials.

29. Aqueous emulsions of natural or synthetic rubber, e.g. natural latex or latices of carboxylated styrene/butadiene copolymers.

In general, the compounds of the present invention are employed in from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of the stabilized composition, although this will vary with the particular substrate and application. An advantageous range is from about 0.5 to about 2%, and especially 0.1 to about 1%.

The stabilizers of the instant invention may readily be incorporated into the organic polymers by conventional techniques, at any convenient stage prior to the manufacture of shaped articles therefrom. For example, the stabilizer may be mixed with the polymer in dry powder form, or a suspension or emulsion of the stabilizer may be mixed with a solution, suspension, or emulsion of the polymer. The resulting stabilized polymer compositions of the invention may optionally also contain various conventional additives, such as the following.

1. Antioxidants

1.1. Alkylated monophenols, for example,

2,6-di-tert.butyl-4-methylphenol

2,6-tert.butyl-4,6-dimethylphenol

2,6-di-tert.butyl-4-ethylphenol

2,6-di-tert.butyl-4-n-butylphenol

2,6-di-tert.butyl-4-i-butylphenol

2,6-di-cyclopentyl-4-methylphenol

2-(α-methylcyclohexyl)-4,6-dimethylphenol

2,6-di-octadecyl-4-methylphenol

2,4,6-tri-cyclohexylphenol

2,6-di-tert.butyl-4-methoxymethylphenol

1.2. Alkylated hydroquinones, for example,

2,6-di-tert.butyl-4-methoxyphenol

2,5-di-tert.butyl-hydroquinone

2,5-di-tert.amyl-hydroquinone

2,6-diphenyl-4-octadecyloxyphenol

1.3. Hydroxylated thiodiphenyl ethers, for example

2,2'-thio-bis-(6-tert.butyl-4-methylphenol)

2,2'-thio-bis-(4-octylphenol)

4,4'-thio-bis-(6-tert.butyl-3-methylphenol)

4,4'-thio-bis-(6-tert.butyl-2-methylphenol)

1.4. Alkyliden-bisphenols, for example,

2,2'-methylene-bis-(6-tert.butyl-4-methylphenol)

2,2'-methylene-bis-(6-tert.butyl-4-ethylphenol)

2,2'-methylene-bis-[4-methyl-6-(α-methylcyclohexyl)-phenol]

2,2'-methylene-bis-(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol)

2,2'-methylene-bis-(6-nonyl-4-methylphenol)

2,2'-methylene-bis-[6-(α-methylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol]

2,2'-methylene-bis-[6-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol]

2,2'-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert.butylphenol)

2,2'-ethylidene-bis-(4,6-di-tert.butylphenol)

2,2'-ethylidene-bis-(6-tert.butyl-4-isobutylphenol)

4,4'-methylene-bis-(2,6-di-tert.butylphenol)

4,4'-methylene-bis-(6-tert.butyl-2-methylphenol)

1,1-bis-(5-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl-butane

2,6-di-(3-tert.butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylphenol

1,1,3-tris-(5-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-butane

1,1-bis-(5-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-3-n-dodecylmercaptobutane

ethylenglycol-bis-[3,3-bis-(3'-tert.butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-butyrat]

di-(3-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-dicyclopentadien

di-[2-(3'-tert.butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methyl-benzyl)-6-tert.butyl-4-methylphenyl]-terephthalate.

1.5. Benzyl compounds, for example,

1,3,5-tri-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-di-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)sulfide

3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl-mercapto-acetic acid isooctyl ester

bis-(4-tert.butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)dithiolterephthalate

1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-isocyanurate

1,3,5-tris-(4-tert.butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanurate

3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl-phosphoric acid-dioctadecyl ester

3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl-phosphoric acid-monoethyl ester, calcium-salt

1.6. Acylaminophenols, for example,

4-hydroxy-lauric acid anilide

4-hydroxy-stearic acid anilide

2,4-bis-octylmercapto-6-(3,5-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-s-triazine

octyl-N-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-carbaminate

1.7. Esters of β-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid with monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, for example,

    ______________________________________                                         methanol        diethyleneglycol                                               octadecanol     triethyleneglycol                                              1,6-hexanediol  pentaerythritol                                                neopentylglycol tris-hydroxyethyl isocyanurate                                 thiodiethyleneglycol                                                                           di-hydroxyethyl oxalic acid                                                    diamide                                                        ______________________________________                                    

1.8. Ester of β-(5-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propionic acid with monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, for example,

    ______________________________________                                         methanol        diethyleneglycol                                               octadecanol     triethyleneglycol                                              1,6-hexanediol  pentaerytritol                                                 neopentylglycol tris-hydroxyethyl isocyanurate                                 thiodiethyleneglycol                                                                           di-hydroxyethyl oxalic acid                                                    diamide                                                        ______________________________________                                    

1.9. Amides of β-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid for example,

N,N'-di-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexamethylendiamine

N,N'-di-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)trimethylendiamine

N,N'-di-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazine

2. UV absorbers and light stabilisers

2.1. 2-(2'-Hydroxyphenyl)-benztriazoles, for example, the 5'-methyl-, 3',5'-di-tert.butyl-, 5'-tert.butyl-, 5'-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-, 5-chloro-3',5'-di-tert.butyl-, 5-chloro-3'-tert.butyl-5'-methyl-, 3'-sec.butyl5'-tert.butyl-, 4'-octoxy, 3',5'-di-tert.amyl-, 3',5'-bis(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-derivative.

2.2. 2-Hydroxy-benzophenones, for example, the 4-hydroxy-, 4-methoxy-, 4-octoxy, 4-decyloxy-, 4-dodecyloxy-, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy- and 2'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivative.

2.3. Ester of optionally substituted benzoic acids for example, phenyl salicylate, 4-tert.butyl-phenylsalicilate, octylphenyl salicylate, dibenzoylresorcinol, bis-(4-tert.butylbenzoyl)-resorcinol, benzoylresorcinol, 3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid 2,4-di-tert.butyl-phenyl ester and 3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid hexadecyl ester.

2.4. Acrylates, for example, α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylic acid ethyl ester or isooctyl ester, α-carbomethoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester, α-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester or butyl ester, α-carbomethoxy-p-methoxycinnamic acid methyl ester, N-(β-carbomethoxy-β-cyanovinyl)-2-methyl-indoline.

2.5 Nickel compounds, for example, nickel complexes of 2,2'-thio-bis-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenol], such as the 1:1 or 1:2 complex, optionally with additional ligands such as n-butylamine, triethanolamine or N-cyclohexyl-di-ethanolamine, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, nickel salts of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert.butylbenzylphosphonic acid monoalkyl esters, such as of the methyl, ethyl or butyl ester, nickel complexes of ketoximes such as of 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-phenyl undecyl ketoxime, nickel complexes of 1-phenyl-4-lauroyl-5-hydroxy-pyrazol, optionally with additional ligands.

2.6. Sterically hindered amines, for example bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-sebacate bis-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-sebacate n-butyl-3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl malonic acid bis-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)ester, condensation product of 1-hydroxyethyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, condensation product of N,N'-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-hexamethylendiamine and 4-tert.octylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-s-triazine, tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-nitrilotriacetate, tetrakis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarbonic acid, 1,1'(1,2-ethanediyl)-bis-(3,3,5,5-tetramethylpiperazinone).

2.7. Oxalic acid diamides, for example, 4,4'-di-octyloxyoxanilide, 2,2'-di-octyloxy-5,5'-di-tert.butyl-oxanilide, 2,2'-di-dodecyloxy-5,5'-di-tert.butyl-oxanilide, 2-ethoxy2'-ethyl-oxanilide, N,N'-bis (3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxalamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert.butyl-2'-ethyloxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5,4'-di-tert.butyloxanilide and mixtures of ortho- and para-methoxy-as well as of o- and p-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.

3. Metal deactivators, for example, N,N'-diphenyloxalic acid diamide, N-salicylal-N'-salicyloylhydrazine, N,N'-bis-salicyloylhydrazine, N,N'-bis-(3,5-di-tert.butyl4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)-hydrazine, 3-salicyloylamino1,2,4-triazole, bis-benzyliden-oxalic acid dihydrazide.

4. Phosphites and phosphonites, for example, triphenyl phosphite, diphenylalkyl phosphites, phenyldialkyl phosphites, tri-(nonylphenyl)phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite, di-stearyl-pentaerythrit diphosphite, tris-(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl) phosphite, di-isodecylpentaerythritol diphosphite, di-(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearyl-sorbite triphosphite, tetrakis-(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl)-4,4'-diphenylylendiphosphonite.

5. Compounds which destroy peroxide, for example, esters of β-thiodipropionic acid, for example the lauryl, stearyl, myristyl or tridecyl esters, mercapto-benzimidazole or the zinc salt of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, zinc-dibutyl-dithiocarbamate, dioctadecyldisulfide, pentaerythritol-tetrakis(β-dodecylmercapto)-propionate.

6. Polyamide stabilisers, for example copper salts in combination with iodides and/or phosphorus compounds and salts of divalent manganese.

7. Basic co-stabilisers, for example, melamine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, dicyandiamide, triallyl cyanurate, urea derivatives, hydrazine derivatives, amines, polyamides, polyurethanes, alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids for example Ca stearate, Zn stearate, Mg stearate, Na ricinoleate and K palmitate, antimony pyrocatecholate or zinc pyrocatecholate.

8. Nucleating agents, for example, 4-tert.butyl-benzoic acid, adipic acid, diphenylacetic acid.

9. Fillers and reinforcing agents, for example, calcium carbonate, silicates, glass fibres, asbestos, talc, kaolin, mica, barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, carbon black, graphite.

10. Other additives, for example, plasticizers, lubricants, emulsifiers, pigments, optical brighteners, flameproofing agents, anti-static agents, blowing agents and thiosynergists such as dilaurylthiodipropionate or distearylthiodipropionate.

While the instant sulfoxides and sulfones can be beneficially used as stablizers for a variety of substrates, particularly the polyolefins, both alone and in conjunction with other coadditives, the introduction of the instant sulfoxides or sulfones into polyolefins, optionally containing various alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and aluminum salts of higher fatty acids (see Additive #7 hereinabove), with hindered phenolic antioxidants provides enhanced and particularly salubrious protection to such substrates in terms of reducing color formation stemming from the presence of the phenols. Such phenolic antioxidants include n-octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate, neopentanetetrayl tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyl-hydrocinnamate), di-n-octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, 1,3,5--tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, thiodiethylene bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate), 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, 3,6-di-oxaoctamethylene bis(3-methyl-5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol, 2,2'-ethylidene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 1,3,5-tris(2,6-dimethyl-4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,1,3-tris-(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane, 1,3,5-tris-[2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoyloxy)-ethyl]-isocyanurate, 3,5-di-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-mesitol, hexamethylene bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4--hydroxyhydrocinnamate), 1-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4 -hydroxyanilino)-3,5-di(octylthio)-s-triazine, N,N'-hexamethylene-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamamide), calcium bis(ethyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate), ethylene bis[3,3-di(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)butyrate], octyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmercaptoacetate, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoyl)hydrazide, and N,N'-bis[2-(3,5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydroxocinnamoyloxy)ethyl]-oxamide, and preferably neopentanetetrayl tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate), n-octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol or 2,2'-ethylidene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol).

Likewise, the instant compounds prevent color formation when hindered amine light stabilizers are present, such hindered amines including bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-2-n-butyl-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) malonate; bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate; dimethylsuccinate polymer with 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinethanol; and polymer of 2,4-dichloro-6-octylamino-s-triazine with N'-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylene diamine.

The following examples illustrate the embodiments of this invention. In these examples, all parts given are by weight unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE I [N,N-(Dibenzyl)aminoxyethyl]ethyl sulfone

A solution of 17.65 g of dibenzylhydroxylamine in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran is admixed with 1.0 g of potassium-tert-butoxide, followed by a solution of 10.0 g of ethylvinylsulfone in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 12 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is partitioned between methylene chloride and water. The organic layer is washed with water, brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give the crude product. Preparative liquid chromatography affords the title compound as a white solid; mp 65°-67° C.

Anal. Calcd. for C₁₈ H₂₃ NO₃ S: C, 64.8; H, 7.0; N, 4.2.

Found: C, 65.2; H, 6.9; N, 4.0.

EXAMPLE II [N,N-(Dibenzyl)aminoxyethyl]phenylsulfoxide

The procedure of Example I is repeated using 21.3 g of dibenzylhydroxylamine, 1.12 g of potassium-tert-butoxide and 15.2 g of phenylvinylsulfoxide in tetrahydrofuran to afford the title compound as a pale yellow oil.

Anal. Calcd. for C₂₂ H₂₃ NO₂ S: C, 72.3; H, 6.3; N, 3.8.

Found: C, 72.4; H, 6.2; N, 3.8.

EXAMPLE III Bis-[N,N-(Dibenzyl)aminoxyethyl]sulfone

The procedure of Example I is repeated using 21.25 g of dibenzylhydroxylamine, 1.12 g of potassium-tert-butoxide and 5.89 g of vinylsulfone in tetrahydrofuran to afford the title compound as a thick oil.

Anal. Calcd. for C₃₂ H₃₆ N₂ O₄ S: C, 70.6; H, 6.7; N, 5.1.

Found: C, 70.9; H, 6.3; N, 5.1.

EXAMPLE IV Processing of Polypropylene Base Formulation

Polypropylene* 100 parts

Calcium Stearate 0.10 part

Stabilizers are solvent blended into polypropylene as solutions in methylene chloride and after removal of solvent by evaporation at reduced pressure, the resin is extruded using the following extruder conditions:

    ______________________________________                                                     Temperature (°C.)                                           ______________________________________                                         Cylinder #1   232                                                              Cylinder #2   246                                                              Cylinder #3   260                                                              Gate #1       260                                                              Gate #2       260                                                              Gate #3       260                                                              RPM 100                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

During extrusion, the internal extruder pressure is determined using a pressure transducer. After each of the first, third and fifth extrusions, resin pellets are compression molded into 125 mil (3.2mm) thick plaques at 193° C. and specimen yellowness index (Y.I.) determined according to ASTM D1925-63T.

The melt flow rate (MFR) is determined by ASTM method 1238 condition L. The melt flow rate varies inversely as the transducer pressure and both are a measure of the molecular weight for a specific type of polymer. The results are shown in the following table.

    ______________________________________                                                                       MFR                                                                            (g/10 min)                                                    YI Color         After                                                         After Extrusion  Extrusion                                        Additives      1       3     5      1   5                                      ______________________________________                                         Base Resin     1.8     2.5   3.5    5.0 9.9                                    0.1% Antioxidant A*                                                                           4.6     8.9   10.9   2.8 4.8                                    0.1% Antioxidant A                                                                            1.9     2.9   3 6    2.2 3.8                                    + 0.05% Ex. III                                                                ______________________________________                                          *neopentyl tetrakis [3(3',5di-tert-butyl-4hydroxy-phenyl)propanoate      

These data illustrate the effective performance characteristics of the compounds of this invention.

Summarizing, it is seen that this invention provides novel compounds which exhibit effective stabilization activity. Variations may be made in proportions, procedures and materials without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition of matter comprising polymer, resin or lubrication oil subject to oxidative, thermal and actinic degradation stabilized with an effective stabilizing amount of a compound of the formula ##STR5## wherein n is 1 or 2,R₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, aralkyl of 7 to 9 carbon atoms or said aralkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, and R₂ is alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, aralkyl of 7 to 9 atoms, said aralkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms or the group ##STR6## wherein R₁ is as defined hereinabove.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein n is
 1. 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein n is
 2. 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, benzyl, α-methylbenzyl or α,α-dimethylbenzyl.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein R₁ is hydrogen.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein R₂ is the group ##STR7## wherein R₁ is as defined in claim
 1. 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a synthetic polymer.
 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein said synthetic polymer is a polyolefin homopolymer or copolymer.
 9. The composition of claim 8 which also contains a metal salt of a higher fatty acid.
 10. The composition of claim 1 which also contains a phenolic antioxidant.
 11. The composition of claim 9 which also contains a phenolic antioxidant.
 12. The composition of claim 10, wherein said phenolic antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of neopentanetetrayl tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate), n-octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol or 2,2'-ethylidene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol).
 13. The composition of claim 1 containing [N,N-(dibenzyl)aminoxyethyl]ethyl sulfone.
 14. The composition of claim 1 containing [N,N-(dibenzyl)aminoxyethyl]phenylsulfoxide.
 15. The composition of claim 1 containing bis[N,N-(dibenzyl)aminoxyethyl]sulfone.
 16. A method for stabilizing polymer, resin or lubricating oil against oxidative,, thermal and actinic degradation which comprises incorporating into said polymer, resin or lubricating oil an effective stabilizing amount of a compound of the formula ##STR8## wherein n is 1 or 2,R₁ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, aralkyl of 7 to 9 carbon atoms or said aralkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, and R₂ is alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, aralkyl of 7 to 9 carbon atoms, said aralkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 36 carbon atoms or the group ##STR9## wherein R₁ is as defined hereinabove. 